As has been rumored for days, former Longhorn quarterback [tag]Major Applewhite[/tag] is officially coming back to Texas as a assistant head coach and running backs coach. He replaces Ken Rucker on the staff, who moved into a position in the athletic department this week. There will be a press conference tomorrow morning at 10 am.

“We’re really excited to have Major back,” Brown said. “He was a great player for us and we saw him growing into a terrific coach as a graduate assistant here for two years. He’s had a chance to go work at a few other places, gain some great experience and will be a tremendous addition to our staff. Having your coaches become head coaches and your ex-players join your current staff are two of the best feelings a head coach can have, so this is a very rewarding day for our staff.”

“We always knew when Major was playing that he was a student of the game and would be a terrific coach one day. He’s living up to that. Major’s an energetic, enthusiastic and intelligent young coach who has always been a tremendous leader. We think he can have a great impact on our guys, our program and in recruiting.”

And from Major…

“It’s exciting to be a Longhorn again,” Applewhite said. “The opportunity to come back to my alma mater, working with Coach Brown, Coach Davis and all the great coaches, many that I know and have worked with before, is special. Having the chance to be with all of them the last couple of days, to see their passion, to be a part of the expectations they’ve built and see how they’re all on the same page and heading in the same direction is really exciting to be a part of. It’s not just about being back in Austin, which is great because I love everything about this place, but the challenge Texas football presents, the familiarity I have with the program and Coach Brown’s philosophy that I believe so strongly in. That’s ultimately why this was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

“I had the chance to play and start my coaching career here. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group that helped build the foundation of what Coach Brown has developed into the winningest program in the nation over the last 10 years. The back-to-back BCS wins, the National Championship and seven straight 10-win seasons make Texas a really special place to be right now.”

“Coach Brown’s program is built on great coaching, great players and championship football. To be able to come back and contribute to that and try to accomplish the goals that we have for ourselves now is a challenge that really excites me.”